Lagos state Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mr. Ademorin Kuye, has debunked the allegation that the state had taken over the powers of its area councils.
Briefing newsmen in Lagos at the weekend, Kuye who was reacting to the criticism levelled against the state for collecting advertisement charges, described as “sacrosanct” the powers and responsibilities of the area councils.
He said the state government’s resolve to collect advertisement fees in the state “is to harmonise, create standard and make the payment of the rate uniform and easy.
The commissioner added that the money “is not diverted by the state government” but shared among the concerned local government authorities in the state.
Kuye pointed out that the state government was aware that hoodlums were impersonating the local government agents to extort the public and claiming to be working for the state.
He said anyone caught would be legally dealt with, adding that so far 350 petitions were received from members of the public, private organisations, government agencies, and non-governmental agencies amongst others on the activities of different local governments in the state in the last one year.
He said: “Thirty-six comprehensive reports were compiled and recommendations were made for government implementation with regard to the petitions investigated. They are mostly on chargeable rates, jurisdiction and functions of the local government and the local council development authorities.”
On the welfare of traditional rulers in the state, the commissioner said government would construct prototype standard palaces for the Akran of Badagry and Olu of Ikeja, adding that contracts had been awarded for the furnishing of the palaces of Alara of Ilara and Ayangburen of Ikorodu following the completion of their palaces.